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Marquessa

By Marquessa LaDawn
NNPA Columnist

 

In Atlanta (RHOA)
We know the biggest villain is Nene Leakes, who is known for saying just what she feels, no matter what. With her, if it comes up, it comes out. I remember in the early days she was so disliked but you could not help but watch because she was intriguing. She’s still spicy, but a wee bit more controlled. Just a wee bit, mind you.

The focus now is on the battle between the new housewives and the older ones. The battle lines were drawn – and crossed – in the most recent episode. Interestingly, Cynthia, one of the older housewives, sided with the new housewives. It made sense when you think about it. She is still being mistreated by Nene. Over what? We’ll never know.

Kenya Moore is quickly closing in on Nene is the nasty department. If you say the wrong thing to her, she will try to throw you overboard in a New York second. Remember the throw-down with Porsha during the most recent reunion?

Maybe it’s because she’s going through a lot right now, but Phaedra Parks is also becoming a bit of a villain. Did you see how she attacked new housewife Demetria? After Demetria responded this week by apologizing to Phaedra by addressing her “situation,” Phaedra did not return the gesture.

Of course, no conversation about villains would be complete without mentioning Kandi’s mom, Joyce. Since the ladies are in another country, Joyce hasn’t been seen on the screen lately. And maybe that’s a good thing. I’m excited about our newest villain, Claudia Jordan, one the few who can take on Nene and win. I can hardly wait for the upcoming episodes. If you are willing to admit that you watch the various “housewives” on TV, you may as well admit that villains keep us watching every week.

 

The “bad girls” in Beverly Hills (RHOBH)
I think Kim read my column from last week because she went from boring to very interesting. Maybe too interesting. I hope she did not have a relapse After initially feeling vulnerable for attending a housewife wine tasting, she switched to her cray-cray mode. She’s a bad girl when she drinks, which makes Kyle way more interesting because, as the big sister, Kyle has to respond and often has no clue about what to do. Her response this week caused #1 bad girl Brandi Glanville to nearly come to blows with Kyle. In Brandi’s head, she was protecting Kim. More on that next week.

My girl, Lisa Rinna, is starting to become more interesting by sharing her “real thoughts” off camera and on. She’s not quite a bad girl yet but she has potential. Lisa Vanderpump, is a bit of a “bad girl,” but for some reason, she has a classy way of showing it. I don’t know how to explain it but, I bet she doesn’t, either. Based on previews, it looks like Lisa is getting Kyle, her bat girl, back next week. I saw Kyle on “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen and she’s still salty. This will make for a wildly interesting season.

 

Fireworks on Celebrity Apprentice
More on the Real Housewives wearing “bad girl” cape. RHOA Kenya Moore and RHOBH Brandi Glanville were unbelievable on this week’s episode of “Celebrity Apprentice.” Let’s just say the housewives stole the show. It really looked like they had potential to work in peace but, again, the bad girl in each reared her ugly head.

By way of background, Kenya did a good job as project manager this week, something Brandi will never admit. On their second project, Kenya and Brandi, had to work together. The task ended in a win for them but was there tension galore every step of the way. It peaked in the board room in front of Donald Trump and both teams.

Kenya insulted Brandi in the most hurtful way. She hit below the belt by mentioning Leann Rhymes. And that was just the beginning. After complaining about Brandi’s non-involvement, Kenya said, “That’s why your husband left you for a younger and prettier woman.” Even The Donald, who can say some pretty nasty things himself, had to roll his eyes. The reality about this reality twosome is that they are similar – angry, insecure, impulsive, damaged and carrying around hurt that never healed. They wreak havoc on others without examining their own negative behavior. As they say, “hurt people hurt.” I didn’t mean to get Dr. Phil on you, but it’s true. I hope they both heal someday and become a better version of themselves. But in the meantime, they make good TV.

 

Marquesa LaDawn is a professional business woman who escapes the pressures of living in New York City by retreating into the real world of reality TV.

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OP-ED: AB 1349 Puts Corporate Power Over Community

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

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Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland
Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

By Bishop Joseph Simmons, Senior Pastor, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, Oakland

As a pastor, I believe in the power that a sense of community can have on improving people’s lives. Live events are one of the few places where people from different backgrounds and ages can share the same space and experience – where construction workers sit next to lawyers at a concert, and teenagers enjoy a basketball game with their grandparents. Yet, over the past decade, I’ve witnessed these experiences – the concerts, games, and cultural events where we gather – become increasingly unaffordable, and it is a shame.

These moments of connection matter as they form part of the fabric that holds communities together. But that fabric is fraying because of Ticketmaster/Live Nation’s unchecked control over access to live events. Unfortunately, AB 1349 would only further entrench their corporate power over our spaces.

Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010, ticket prices have jumped more than 150 percent. Activities that once fit a family’s budget now take significant disposable income that most working families simply don’t have. The problem is compounded by a system that has tilted access toward the wealthy and white-collar workers. If you have a fancy credit card, you get “presale access,” and if you work in an office instead of a warehouse, you might be able to wait in an online queue to buy a ticket. Access now means privilege.

Power over live events is concentrated in a single corporate entity, and this regime operates without transparency or accountability – much like a dictator. Ticketmaster controls 80 percent of first-sale tickets and nearly a third of resale tickets, but they still want more. More power, more control for Ticketmaster means higher prices and less access for consumers. It’s the agenda they are pushing nationally, with the help of former Trump political operatives, who are quietly trying to undo the antitrust lawsuit launched against Ticketmaster/Live Nation under President Biden’s DOJ.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about AB 1349 in its current form. Rather than reining in Ticketmaster’s power, the bill risks strengthening it, aligning with Trump. AB 1349 gives Ticketmaster the ability to control a consumer’s ticket forever by granting Ticketmaster’s regime new powers in state law to prevent consumers from reselling or giving away their tickets. It also creates new pathways for Ticketmaster to discriminate and retaliate against consumers who choose to shop around for the best service and fees on resale platforms that aren’t yet controlled by Ticketmaster. These provisions are anti-consumer and anti-democratic.

California has an opportunity to stand with consumers, to demand transparency, and to restore genuine competition in this industry. But that requires legislation developed with input from the community and faith leaders, not proposals backed by the very company causing the harm.

Will our laws reflect fairness, inclusion, and accountability? Or will we let corporate interests tighten their grip on spaces that should belong to everyone? I, for one, support the former and encourage the California Legislature to reject AB 1349 outright or amend it to remove any provisions that expand Ticketmaster’s control. I also urge community members to contact their representatives and advocate for accessible, inclusive live events for all Californians. Let’s work together to ensure these gathering spaces remain open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of income or background.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of December 24 – 30, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 24 – 30, 2025

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